My wife and I were married 26 years ago, and spent our wedding night in what was then the Bridal Suite, now it is called the Barter Suite. I made the trip from Knoxville, TN to make the reservation to book the same room for our anniverisy. I had called erlier and talked to Carroll, and also booked the suite with her upon my visit.

When we arrived, we were told that there was a plumbing issue with the room, and we were having to be moved. We accepted, and moved. THEN ON THE WAY BACK FRO THE PLAY FRom THE BARTER, we saw people in the room that we booked and paid for. the next morning, we obsered a man drinking coffee, ans smokiking a cigetette on the private balcony.

When we checked out, and commented on our concerns, we were then told that a electrial problem was the problem!! This is a far cry from from a plumbing problem. I am an electrical, plumbing, mechanial contractor.

I feel that I spent close to 1K for two days at your inn, that could have been spent on another cruise. We will never spend another night at your Inn. I wll not deal with lying to my clients by my staff to any client, but, I KNOW I was lied to.
Jim Hopson

Oh so close to being better than average. This hotel and spa can be likened to a football team that does well getting to the goal line but lacks the enthusiasm, talent and desire to score. Maintenance issues with the building and grounds, a somewhat blase check in and valet staff, and a expensive dining room menu. Having said this, however, the hotel has the charm only found in a historic property with antiques, art work etc. that allows for a step back in time. Being across the street from The Barter Theatre is a plus as is the proximity to other attractions and restaurants along Main Street and the historic district.

We not only stayed in this hotel but hosted our wedding reception here. This inn is top notch. We stayed in a guest room (222) one night and moved to the Governor's Suite (300) on our wedding night. Both rooms were fantastic, but if you can afford the suite, stay in it! I felt like a queen in it and would have moved in if they'd have let me. The service received from the staff was fabulous. The inn itself is well-maintained with lots of character. When they say they balance the old with the new, they do. The food there is wonderful, both in the restaurant, deli, and what was served at our reception. We used the spa services as well for hair, nails, etc. and were pleased. Love, love, love this inn!

This hotel merits a five-star rating, rather than a four, just because of the marvelous restoration work done to bring this fine, old complex of buildings back to vigorous life. But there's more, of course: spacious, well-appointed rooms; an extremely friendly and helpful staff; a surprisingly good pair of weight/exercise rooms; a fine pool; a spa that my wife found to be a pleasant surprise, given its location in "remote" southwestern Virginia; and a general sense of time and place that just works. We stayed in a deluxe room--and would do so again (well worth the nightly rate). If you're headed to Abingdon, really, this is by far the best choice you could make--because of the hotel itself; because of its perfect location catty-corner from the Barter Theater (which does startlingly good productions) and because it's just a few blocks from the town's best restaurants--which are very good, indeed. Speaking of restaurants, though, we did not eat at "Sisters" in the hotel for dinner. A so-so in-house breakfast, weak service, weaker coffee and the restaurant's unfortunate 1970s Holiday Inn decor sent us elsewhere--so the five stars is for the hotel, not the restaurant (we ate at The Tavern and at The House on Main, both of which were excellent, if in very different ways). And speaking of decor, our only complaint about the hotel's refurbishment is the bizarre mix of quality historical prints, photos and documents on the walls in the main-floor corridors with, in the upstairs corridors, some of the worst faux "paintings" I've ever encountered outside of a trailer-court yard-sale (and the very worst "art" was in the restaurant--discount-furniture-mart junk that went beyond visually annoying to downright offensive to the senses). I except The Library, a wonderful off-the-lobby room, from all such criticism. Yes, I'm being picky--specifically because I gave this otherwise-excellent hotel five stars--and would like to see the owners introduce some less-tacky art work in the hallways...a small thing, but it does detract from the atmosphere.